January 12, 2022

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Mayor

Svante Myrick then and now (Facebook)

Svante Myrick resigns as mayor

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ayor Svante Myrick has resigned from his position. He has accepted a position as executive director for People for the American Way and will begin in February. The Feb. 2 Common Council meeting will be his last, and Alderperson Laura Lewis will take over as acting mayor. Alderperson Ducson Nguyen will be the alternate acting mayor. Voters will choose a new mayor in the November election. Myrick, the city’s longest serving mayor, was emotional and called the role an honor of a lifetime, but wants to continue his work at a national level. “The American democratic experiment is the reason that someone like me — born into homelessness, and raised by a single mother — was able to come to Cornell in the first place,” he said. “The American dream is also what allowed me to grow up and serve the city I love. But I am alarmed at the state of our democracy. I believe my service can make a difference in the national conversation on voting and elections, and I want to protect continued on page 3

that American dream for people of all backgrounds.” According to People for the American Way’s website, the organization is a “progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity.” Myrick said he was proud of what he accomplished in his decade as mayor, specifically citing improving the city’s finances, improving infrastructure and the push for more

affordable housing in the city. He added that he will continue to live in Ithaca. The announcement came at the start of the first Common Council meeting of the year, just after finishing swearing in the newest alderpersons. While he has one council meeting left, council members took the opportunity to thank him for his service and congratulate him on the opportunity. Myrick’s full statement is available to view on his Facebook page. While acting mayor, Lewis will retain her vote on council as a representative of the fifth ward. In normal circumstances, the mayor only votes if a tiebreaker is needed, but city attorney Ari Lavine confirmed she would still have normal

T a k e ▶ Booster clinic - The Tompkins County Health Department is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine booster clinic Saturday, Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The clinic is at The Shops at Ithaca Mall Vaccination Site (40 Catherwood Dr. Ithaca), and the Moderna booster will be distributed to anyone 18 years and older who received the

VOL.XLII / NO. 21 / January 12, 2022 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

voting power with the acting mayor title. Lewis was elected to council in 2017 and will assume office on Feb. 7. Originally from Buffalo, Lewis completed her undergraduate studies in sociology at SUNY Binghamton and her masters in counseling and student personnel at SUNY Albany. She worked in student services at Ithaca College and for many years in the ILR School at Cornell University. While working, Lewis volunteered on the board of directors of Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS), she served as chair of the 5th Ward Democratic Committee, as chair of the City Democratic Committee, as a member of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee where she participated in numerous campaigns and Get Out The Vote efforts, and she was on the planning committee for the Ithaca Women’s March in 2017. In 2017, she decided to run for Common Council representing the 5th Ward where she has been an advocate for more affordable housing in the city. Recently, she has served on the Ithaca Eviction/ Displacement Defense Project alongside other city partners. She successfully presented legislation and a budget request to Common Council in 2021 for a Right to Counsel program to provide legal representation to tenants in eviction court. Lewis and her husband Kevin Murphy have lived in Fall Creek for 40 years. They have two grown sons, both of whom attended Ithaca City schools and Ithaca College. -Ta n n e r H a r d i n g

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Moderna or Pfizer initial vaccine series at least five months ago, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago. It is approved to mix and match all COVID-19 vaccines. The registration link is available on Health Department’s website (www.tompkinscountyny.gov/ health). Bring your photo ID and vaccination card, and expect to wait 15 minutes for observation

following your injection. The COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge. Free transportation is also available to vaccination clinics. Present proof of your vaccination appointment to ride any TCAT bus free of charge. Alternative transportation arrangements can be arranged by calling 2-1-1 during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Ja n ua ry

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F E AT URE S 5G Update ��8 Ithaca tries to balance environmental/health concerns with the need for better cell service.

Sports �� 10

Big impact �� 11 The Mini Print Exhibition proves you can make a big statement in small space

Newsline ��3-5 Opinion �� 6 Letters �� 7

ART S &E N T E RTAINME N T Film �� 13 Dining �� 15 Classifieds �� 18

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